167

740.0011 European War 1939/3770A

President Roosevelt to the President of the French Council Of
Ministers (Reynaud), June 13, 194052

[Telegram]

Your message of June 10 has moved me very deeply. As I have already stated to you and to Mr.
Churchill, this Government is doing everything in its power to make available
to the Allied Governments the material they so urgently require, and our
efforts to do still more

--550--

are being redoubled. This is so
because of our faith in and our support of the ideals for which the Allies are fighting.

The magnificent resistance of the French and British armies has profoundly impressed the
American people.

I am personally particularly impressed by your declaration that France will continue to fight
on behalf of democracy even if it means slow withdrawal, even to North Africa
and the Atlantic. It is most important to remember that the French and British
fleets continue mastery of the Atlantic and other oceans; also to remember that
vital materials from the outside world are necessary to maintain all armies.

I am also greatly heartened by what Prime Minister Churchill said a few days ago about
the continued resistance of the British Empire and that determination would
seem to apply equally to the great French Empire all over the world. Naval
power in world affairs still carries the lessons of history, as Admiral Darlan
well knows.